The Village of Westchester's finest showed their culinary skills extend far beyond public safety at the West Suburban Cook Off Smackdown held on March 14, 2026. Both the Westchester Police and Fire Departments participated in this exciting community competition, bringing home impressive results. Police Chief Babich took first place for his ribs, showcasing that his talents extend well beyond law enforcement. The Westchester Fire Department also demonstrated their cooking skills. The event was hosted by Ms. Cassandra Taylor SFC (Ret) of Top Flight Defense Inc, a remarkable non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of women military veterans who have served our country. This partnership highlights the strong community connections and support for our veterans that make Westchester special.
We're incredibly proud of both our Police and Fire Departments for their participation and success in this competition. The cook-off not only provided a fun opportunity for friendly competition between area departments but also raised awareness and support for Top Flight Defense Inc's important mission of serving women veterans.
Plans are already underway for next year's competition, and the Village looks forward to defending their titles. Congratulations to all participants and organizers for making this such a successful community event!
